G.R.I.T.S. An acronym you may or may not have heard before and a common “label” (if you will) of southern girls. It stands for Girl(s) Raised In The South. Chasmin “Strange Fruit” Anthony doesn’t immediately strike you as one of those G.R.I.T.S. but from the moment she says hello, there’s nothing but pure Southern charm.

She’s an 18 year-old woman from Ellenwood, GA and her only occupation is staying up to par. Once a fashion major, she is currently in the process of transferring schools to pursue marketing.

If you’re in Atlanta, you’re more than likely to have seen this approximately 4′11 woman interning at Laced Up or at various sneaker exhibits/exchanges. And if you’re into the blogs you may have been checking out The Art of Strange, where Chasmin and her comrades blog to capture you within their creativity.

As a friend of hers told me, “she’s creative, like Erykah Badu creative, she’s that creative,” and I honestly agree. Just read her words to find out more.

Who are you? Chasmin “Strange Fruit” Anthony
Where are you from? Ellenwood, GA
Where do you currently reside? I sleep in Conyers and play in Atlanta.
How old are you? 18
What is your occupation? Staying Up To Par!

So you have a thing for sneakers but you wear kids sizes. How does that work?
I wear a size 4Y and finding a rare pair to spark my interest is difficult, but it is also an adrenaline rush. The “hunt” period is one of the main passions for this culture…that’s why many have that “holy grail” list. It’s a hard hunt, I have been addicted for five years and do not want to seek help anytime soon.

What are you currently in school for?
I am still in the process of transferring but I was once a Fashion major. I now have an interest in Marketing and will be back at school in May of this year.

What do you hope to become?
Perfect to my own satisfaction and successful in everything that I attempt in life to where all of my parallels will someday touch.

What are your occupational dreams?
I want to wake up to owning a successful sneaker business dedicated to women.

Who are your influences?/ Who inspires you?
My sister, Chante’-She is the four-way stop sign where intelligence meets beauty and elegance meets poise. Even though our continents are far apart, I often find myself trying to mimic her state of mind. My inspirations are three generations of strong black women before me-my great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother. I dedicate and create everything with them in mind.

Please explain to the world why you chose the moniker, Strange Fruit.
Well, I’m glad you asked! I get a lot of heat for this…because I play off my tatts “strange fruit”…and let me first say Miss Holiday did a swell job with the song but my reason is parallel to the poem and famous song. I took the concepts from the Books of Luke and Job when God talks about the fruitfulness of the Earth. Although many describe me as abnormal or sometimes “strange”, it reminds me to remain “Chasmin” and change for the better because at the end of the day and many hours…I know God has me here for a reason and for a good purpose; so I’m a necessity to this Earth…like “fruit”. It is truly my personal disclaimer.

Do you think people hold your age against you when working with you? Do people automatically assume that you are immature or not serious?
I do think people hold my age against me when it comes to work which use to frustrate me, because at fifth-teen I was shooting people emails…receiving no replies haha. Those who I have had the chance to work with has either said my soul has been on this Earth before and would invite me for drinks after work forgetting that I am under age which is also always funny to me. I honestly think they automatically do not know how to react to the maturity behind my age. And I cannot hold any grudges against those who have shot me down in the past because; I still admire and respect their craft today. I would love to still work with them in the future when they are indeed ready for me.

The sneaker industry is male dominated. How do you feel the male dominance will effect on your future business plans?
Many do not know that the ratio is pretty much the same with the involvement of males and females in the sneaker culture…just little recognition. And since there is a male dominance upfront I will voluntarily cater to men with my future business which hopefully they can respect because this culture has always openly invited those who only share this common interest and not a penis. I am very optimistic in looking forward to a positive effect from males everywhere because I do love them too!

Tell us more about the artist in you.
I am a firm believer in using a pencil and canvas as a metaphor for life. My passion of my honest theory is art. That is what my family and close ones know me well as…an artist. I’m a shy poet, humble photographer, prolific writer, and messy painter. However, my favorite medium is my mind. I’m a very visual thinker…but creativity is nothing to me without innovation.

We also hear you are into fashion. What role do you play in that arena?
I love fashion but I have no style. Both are such arts that you can really mold into your own! I do, however, play a very small role with male styling amongst peers for events. Hopefully I can get some type of lead into the industry one day with this hobby as well because fashion for me is a sixth sense and it’s only a trend if you find comfort in your second skin, not the label.

Tell us more about theartofstrange.blogspot.com.
Well, I created The Art of Strange blog to publicize my day-to-day will to tread to success. And since I am not alone I invited three other young innovative people to share their stories but with the twist of them not knowing each other. It’s crazy because the other three writers (Nedu, Darnesha, and sometimes Bianca) have yet to meet each other but I’m convinced our minds have played in the sandbox together before. So we invite all to relate to our daily experiences, journeys, and witty opinions on life with our own brand of strange.

What is your view on men’s levels of respect for women in Atlanta?
Men’s level of respect here in Atlanta personally is a complex one. I’ve ran into different types of men but I only choose to associate myself with guys who shows respect. So I’m very appreciative of my father and closest male friend’s (Rhayne/Jeremy) level of respect for me. They make it ok for a female to have high standards. If I do come across a guy here in the A that that does lack in that category, I’m always quick to correct him. Men only respect women that respect themselves.

Does Atlanta’s stripper culture have a positive or negative effect on you?
Neither, because I do not know the individual objectives of the participants who involve themselves in the stripper culture…to each it’s own. I will just give the active women and men on those poles and tables the benefit of the doubt of still searching for a better outlet (lol).

SHOUTOUTS: A good morning to the contributors and readers of The Art of Strange, Professional Mannequin, and FemaleSneakerFiend. A special thanks to you Miss Lola for this lovely interview and to my second family, the Up To Par thinkers.

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Posted at : March 30th, 2008 - 2:00 pm
Filed under : Kids on the Come Up
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